Dragons rally past Augustana with late comeback win

Senior wideout Adam Jiskra added another monster game to his already all-time great MSUM career. Jiskra caught six passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns. PHOTO BY: KAYLEIGH OMANG komang1028@gmail.com

The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons football team managed to sneak past Augustana, 35-34. The win marks the team’s first 3-0 start since 1987.

The Dragons offense executed early as the team scored on its opening drive. Cory Ambrose was the leading receiver for the Dragons as he hauled in four receptions for 114 yards.

Receiver Adam Jiskra played a crucial role to the Dragons offense. He caught six passes for 93 yards and had three touchdowns. Two of his touchdown catches came in the first quarter.

“It’s tough to guard all of us,” Jiskra said. “We have a great offense and there’s so many weapons, we can go anywhere with the ball.”

Jiskra also made key catches during the last drive of the game, including a touchdown grab to put the Dragons ahead of Augustana with 1:20 to go in the game.

“It could have been anyone on our offense to score,” Jiskra said. “Coaches called a play my way and I knew it was coming and I just made a play.”

Junior WR Cory Ambrose followed up his Sportscenter Top 10 game-winning catch last week with another strong performance. Ambrose pulled down four catches for 114 yards against Augustana. PHOTO BY: KAYLEIGH OMANG

After halftime, the defense quickly allowed nine unanswered points, but managed to bounce back and seal the game with a last minute interception. The defense came away with four interceptions in the game.

“It took everything we had. It takes all four quarters for us like we always say and we have to finish the game,” said outside line backer Nick Ecklund. “We just had to step up, play our game and not worry about the score.”
Head coach Steve Laqua is not surprised at the team’s fast start.

“The chemistry is phenomenal with this group between both the offensive and defensive of guys, as well as the older guys and younger guys,” Laqua said. “When you get great chemistry, special things will happen.”

PHOTO BY: KAYLEIGH OMANG komang1028@gmail.com

Despite winning the first three games of the season, the team is looking to improve and get back to work.

“We’re satisfied with where we are, but we still got a long way to go and ha
ve lots of areas of improvement,” Laqua said.

The Dragons travel to Marshall, Minn. next week to take on Southwest Minnesota State on Sep. 26 at 6 p.m., where the team looks to keep the winning streak alive.